The Shepherd
Turin , don't know about early turbines . But certainly modern ones do , taxy close up directly behind the jet pipe and you'll see a cherry red glow .
Memory fades as to whether it was behind a B737 with JT8s or CFM56s . The turbine is 'burning whilst 'turning at up to 800C or so these days .
rgds condor .
Memory fades as to whether it was behind a B737 with JT8s or CFM56s . The turbine is 'burning whilst 'turning at up to 800C or so these days .
rgds condor .
No engine I have ever flown has torched as much as the Goblin on start up. On my first night start on a Vampire ( 8 FTS Swinderby, last course, 60 years ago !) it was truly amazing ! We knew it torched but was not particularly noticeable in daylight, but at night it could be quite spectacular , , just as shown in the trailer ! Dont know about a glow in flight, we never did night formation in the Vampire !
A really great story !
A really great story !
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Watched it this afternoon found it quite emotional having trained in Vampires, so long ago.,
Same uniforms, flying kit and the Vampire night start.
The west Raynham mess, now so sadly dilapidated, reminded me so much of Binbrook one of my last stations which hosted so beautifully, our wedding reception
Yes, there are a few technical errors but still a wonderful short story, not a single expletive or profanity just a good story, , so refreshing
Same uniforms, flying kit and the Vampire night start.
The west Raynham mess, now so sadly dilapidated, reminded me so much of Binbrook one of my last stations which hosted so beautifully, our wedding reception
Yes, there are a few technical errors but still a wonderful short story, not a single expletive or profanity just a good story, , so refreshing
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I've heard - but not seen, that there was an almost identical story - the Shepherd is also a ghostly Mosquito - published in "The Aeroplane" in 1954, It is called "A Christmas Story" by an R. Leach. Can anyone confirm/deny?
The WIkipedia page for the book https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shepherd says "Many have speculated references to preexisting RAF folklore. While Forsyth is a former RAF pilot and could have heard and adapted such a story (either with or without the intent to do so) no references or anecdotal evidence have been put forward to support such claims."
West Raynham last week. Atmospheric (if you disregard the solar panels). There is a board saying "Caution - Active Runway" - which seems a tad optimistic.
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No mention up-thread of the "Darkie" system that rendered assistance to a myriad of distressed aircraft over the war years and could be considered the precursor of the modern Distress and Diversion Cell. Which system was in use during the timeframe of the subject story, I don't know; but of course Darkie required at least a serviceable receiver. (I do recall - as a Plt Off ATCO - after making some (well deserved, actually!) off-hand and facetious remark to a senior Flt Lt to "get back on the tube and look for aeroplanes flying right-handed triangles!"........)
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Played it at a family gathering last night. Suffice to say it crashed and burned.
“How long did you say this lasts?”
”What was all that about?”
”Well I suppose you have to be a pilot to appreciate it”
Philistines.
“How long did you say this lasts?”
”What was all that about?”
”Well I suppose you have to be a pilot to appreciate it”
Philistines.
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Lovely sight in daylight. Leuchars 2013
